My Smooch stopped eating, but would take food if I hand fed her.
It also seemed to me that she was breathing hard, though she wasn't gasping for breath. Smooch also stopped coming upstairs.
When I took her to the vet, the vet did a chest xray and a fasting blood test and found she was anemic and also that her lungs were only functioning at a small percentage. He felt Smooch was in pain and we couldn't let that happen.

December is the best month of the year at the Rainbow Bridge. For the dogs there is snow to romp in and the angels always have time to toss snowballs for them to chase. The cats enjoy patting at the snowflakes as they fall, and then curling up near the fireplace for a nice winter's nap.

But it is the lights that make this time so special. Winter on the Earth, their former home, is a time of lengthening darkness, and in December candles glow all around the globe beginning with Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, and continuing on right through the New Year's festivities. At the Bridge the glow of these candles is reflected in all of the trees, and in the hearts of every Bridgekid as they observe the month in their own special way; with memories of the lives, and the loved ones they left behind.

For most it is a time of quiet joy, but each year there are always a few who draw apart..
Near to midnight, "home time" on December 24 Charlie realized someone was missing from the Hale gathering. "I'll be right back," he told his siblings. He passed many similar groupings as he hurried down the well worn path, many friends called out to him, but he only acknowledge the greetings with a wave and continued on. The path ended at the Rainbow, and there he found a small group of newcomers, each sitting quietly, alone. One of these, the missing Sandifur, was crouched at the very edge, his stumpy tail twitching rapidly, as he stared at the scene below.

Charlie only smiled. "I felt the same way my first year. Do you remember your very first Christmas with Mom and Dad? Remember the new scratching tree they gave us that year, and the catnip mice? And remember all the good things we got to eat? That was a great time, wasn't it?" Sandifur nodded, still gazing intently below. "I want to go back."
"I did too, " Charlie said, licking gently at his brother's ear. "But we can't, baby brother. This is our place now." "But it's Christmas, and Mom and Dad miss us so much. Look, mom is lighting a candle right now, just for us and she is crying."

"Christmas Eve is her time to remember, little one, but tomorrow she will pass out the presents to all of our brothers and sisters, and she will be happy again. I want to show you something. Come with me."
Together the two kittens climbed the arch of the Rainbow, and at the very top Charlie stopped. "Do you see that big silver cloud over there? Watch closely."

As Sandifur gazed the cloud began to swirl and gradually an image came into view. The clearing where he had left his family, and a larger gathering around the big, glowing pine tree. He could see the dogs, many more of them than when he had left, playing fetch and tug of war, and the kittens, so many kittens, sleeping in a heap, their soggy catnip mice forgotten in the grass.

Suddenly the kittens all woke up, and the dogs ceased their play and stared into the darkness beyond the clearing, tails wagging in greeting.
And then, much to Sandifur's amazement, two humans stepped into the light."
"Hurry, Charlie, we have to go back," he said. " Mom and Dad, they're here!"
"Not just yet, Sandy. That cloud is our Window into Tomorrow.
Come back with me now, and join the others. The reunion will come. We have been promised."

Sandy reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the vision of the future, and followed Charlie. They found the others waiting for them at the base of the rainbow. "Is it time?" Charlie asked.
Terrie nodded, "They are waiting."
All of the Hale Bridgekids drew together, and looked over the edge, and along the entire length of the rainbow similar groups were gathered, all looking down at their former homes.

Suddenly the light of a million candles from the Earth met the glow from the Rainbow Bridge. "Now," Charlie whispered.

In unison three words were repeated again and again, and as they were spoken they merged with the bridge of light, flowing from the rainbow to the earth, and back again in ever increasing brilliance, and the colors of the rainbow merged with the light. "I love you," they all said, and the love entered every heart of the pet parents on earth, and the hearts of those who gathered at the rainbow.

My Smooch stopped eating, but would take food if I hand fed her.
It also seemed to me that she was breathing hard, though she wasn't gasping for breath. Smooch also stopped coming upstairs.
When I took her to the vet, the vet did a chest xray and a fasting blood test and found she was anemic and also that her lungs were only functioning at a small percentage. He felt Smooch was in pain and we couldn't let that happen.

Doug

I was in disbelief when the vet told me how bad Smooch was, because she didn't show it. One thing Ken and I always promised our dogs is that we would not let them suffer. It would have been UNBEARABLE heartbreak to think Smooch might be suffering. We had adopted Smooch at the age of 16 months and she was almost 12 when she went to the Rainbow Bridge-she couldn't have been more loved and cherished!

I found this prayer on a rescue site years ago, so I cannot give it credit where credit is due:

A Golden Puppy by Anonymous

I'll lend to you for a little while,A Golden pup, God said,For you to love her while she lives,and mourn for when she's dead.Maybe for twelve or fourteen yearsor only two or three,But will you, 'till I call her back,Take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charm to gladden you,And should her stay be brief,You'll always have her memories as solace for your grief.I cannot promise she will stay,since all from death return,But there are lessons taught belowI want this pup to learn

I've looked the whole world over,In search of teachers true,And from all the folks that crowd life's landI have chosen you.Now will you give her all your loveNor think the labour vain,Nor hate me when I come to takeMy Golden back again.

I fancied that U hear you sayDear Lord thy will be done,For all the joys this pup will bringThe risk of grief I'll run.I'll shelter her with tendernessI'll love her while I may,And for the happiness I've knownForever grateful stay.

But should you come to call her backmuch sooner than I planned,I'll face the bitter grief that comesand try to understand.If by my love I've managedYour wishes to achieve,In memory of her I loved, to helpme when I grieve.

When my faithful friend departsThis great big world of strife,I'll have another Golden pupAnd love her all my life.

Cubbysan: This is absolutely beautiful. It reminds me of my Golden Girl, Smooch!!

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

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